Information processing apparatus and information processing method for part image generation and part image display

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a part generation unit configured to generate a part that is suitable for a predetermined application and that includes at least a portion of any photo and is displayed on a display screen at a time of execution of the application, and an application control unit configured to control the execution of the application and at least display the part on the display screen during the execution of the application.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2013-102031 filed May 14, 2013, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, apart generating and using method, and a program.

Communication using photos has generally been performed in variousapplications executed in information processing apparatuses such aspersonal computers (PCs), smartphones, and tablet PCs. For example,diverse communication not restricted to only text information isrealized between users by transmitting and receiving messages to whichphotos are appended in mail software (mailers) or by exchanging photostogether with messages in instant messengers.

In use of such photos, diverse photos are also preferably prepared toimprove the degree of freedom for users to select photos. Technologiesregarding photography of photos have been suggested so that users canperform photography with a higher degree of freedom. For example, JP2003-280083A discloses a technology capable of providing photos in whichbackgrounds desired by users are used by superimposing a plurality ofcurtains and forming the backgrounds of the users at the time ofphotography of the photos.

SUMMARY

However, even when photos desired by users can be taken using thetechnology disclosed in, for example, JP 2003-280083A, the photos havenot been associated with a predetermined application in the related artat the time of use of the photos taken in the application. For example,since a storage area in which data of a photo is stored is not managedby an application, it is necessary for a user to designate the storagearea in which the data of the photo is stored and search for a desiredphoto from the storage area when selecting the photo to be used in anapplication. Also, since data sizes, data formats, or the like of thephotos are not suitable for the application, smooth use of the photos inthe application has been difficult.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, it is necessary for usersto use photos more simply and more conveniently when the users use thephotos in an application. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide anovel and improved information processing apparatus, a novel andimproved part generating and using method, and a novel and improvedprogram capable of further improving convenience of a user at the timeof use of an application.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan information processing apparatus including a part generation unitconfigured to generate a part that is suitable for a predeterminedapplication and that includes at least a portion of any photo and isdisplayed on a display screen at a time of execution of the application,and an application control unit configured to control the execution ofthe application and at least display the part on the display screenduring the execution of the application.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda part generating and using method including generating a part that issuitable for a predetermined application and that includes at least aportion of any photo and is displayed on a display screen at a time ofexecution of the application, and controlling the execution of theapplication and at least displaying the part on the display screenduring the execution of the application.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda program causing a computer to realize a function of generating a partthat is suitable for a predetermined application and that includes atleast a portion of any photo and is displayed on a display screen at atime of execution of the application, and a function of controlling theexecution of the application and at least displaying the part on thedisplay screen during the execution of the application.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the part that issuitable for the predetermined application and that includes at leastthe portion of any photo and is displayed on the display screen by theapplication is generated. Then, the generated part is displayed on thedisplay screen during the execution of the application. Thus, the usercan use the photo in the application more simply by using the photo asone part of the application. Accordingly, the convenience of the user atthe time of the use of the application is improved.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure describedabove, it is possible to further improve convenience of a user at thetime of use of an application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of theconfiguration of a part generating and using system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of theconfiguration of an information processing apparatus according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of theconfiguration of a part generating and using system according to amodification example of the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen ina part generating and using process according to the present embodimentwhen a part is a stamp;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing the configuration of thestamp according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen inthe part generating and using process according to the presentembodiment when the part is a background image;

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen inthe part generating and using process according to the presentembodiment when the part is a background image; and

FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen inthe part generating and using process according to the presentembodiment when the part is a background image.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing order of a partgenerating and using method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration ofthe information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, the same referencenumerals are given to constituent elements having substantially the samefunctional configuration and repeated description thereof will beomitted.

The description will be made in the following order:

1. Configuration of part generating and using system

2. Configuration of information processing apparatus

3. Specific examples of part generating and using process

3-1. Case in which part is stamp

3-2. Case in which part is background image

4. Processing order of part generating and using method

5. Hardware configuration

6. Conclusion

1. Configuration of Part Generating and Using System

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a part that is suitable fora predetermined application and that includes at least a portion of anyphoto and is displayed on a display screen at the time of execution ofthe application is generated by processing any photo in a formatsuitable for the application. Also, the part generated during theexecution of the application is displayed on the display screen. In thefollowing description, a series of processes including at least theabove process and performed in the present embodiment is referred to asa part generating and using process.

First, an example of the configuration of a part generating and usingsystem configured to realize the part generating and using processaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showingan example of the configuration of the part generating and using systemaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a part generating and using system 1 according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such thatinformation processing apparatuses 10 and an application managementserver 20 are connected by a communication network (network) 30 toperform mutual communication.

The information processing apparatus 10 is an information processingterminal that executes various applications by transmitting andreceiving various kinds of information to and from the applicationmanagement server 20. The information processing apparatus 10 reflectsvarious kinds of information input from a user during execution of anapplication to control the application or performs a process ofoutputting various kinds of information obtainable through the executionof the application to the user. Examples of the information processingapparatus 10 may include various information processing terminals suchas a PC, a smartphone, and a tablet PC. Also, the example in which thepart generating and using system 1 includes two information processingapparatuses 10 is shown in FIG. 1, but the part generating and usingsystem 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to thisexample. The single information processing apparatus 10 may be providedor a number of information processing apparatuses 10 greater than twomay be connected via the network 30.

The application management server 20 controls execution of variousapplications and manages various kinds of information processed by theapplications. For example, when the application is an applicationperforming communication between a plurality of users, such as variousservices in mail software (a mailer) and a Social Networking Service(SNS) or an instant messenger, the application management server 20 canmanage user ID information registered in the application, accountinformation such as password information, or information such asmutually transmitted and received messages and can execute theapplication so that the messages or the like are shared within a rangeof specific users.

Here, a part used in various applications will be described. In thepresent embodiment, the part refers to information that has a formatsuitable for a predetermined application and means information used toexecute the application. Specifically, the part according to the presentembodiment is a part that is suitable for a predetermined applicationand that includes at least a portion of any photo and is displayed on adisplay screen at the time of the execution of the application. Theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodimentcan generate such a part and display the part generated at the time ofexecution of an application. Also, in the following description, theterm “photo” can include the meaning of “photo data” to be subjected toinformation processing in the part generating and using system 1according to the present embodiment.

For example, when the information processing apparatus 10 attempts toprocess photo data and image data at the time of execution of anapplication and the photo data or the image data has a context differentfrom the application (for example, when the photo data or the image datais acquired by another application), the photo data or the image datadoes not have a format suitable for the application, and therefore thereis a possibility of a process not being smoothly performed.Specifically, for example, when a user attempts to transmit photo datato another user in an application (for example, an instant messenger)performing communication between the users and the photo data is notsuitable for the application, a storage area in which the photo data isstored is not managed by the application. Therefore, there is aninconvenience that the user has to designate the storage area in whichthe photo data attempted to be transmitted by the user is stored, forexample, a local storage unit or an external storage unit, and searchfor a desired photo in the storage area. Also, likewise, when the samephoto data to be transmitted is not suitable for the application, thereis a possibility that it is necessary to change the data size or thedata format of the photo data to be transmitted according to anapplication to be used. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that thephoto data may not be smoothly transmitted. On the other hand, in thepresent embodiment, a part that is suitable for a predeterminedapplication and that includes at least a portion of a photo of the photodata is generated from the photo data by the information processingapparatus 10. Since the part is suitable for the application, thestorage area in which the photo data is stored is under management ofthe application. Also, the data size or the data format of the part isconfigured to be suitable for use in the application. Accordingly, inthe present embodiment, since the user can use the part generated fromthe photo data instead of the photo data at the time of the execution ofthe application, the user can select and use a desired photo moresimply, and therefore convenience of the user is further improved.

The example of the configuration of the part generating and using system1 according to the present embodiment has been described above withreference to FIG. 1. Next, functions and configurations of theinformation processing apparatus 10 included in the part generating andusing system 1 will be described in more detail.

2. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus

The functions and configurations of the information processing apparatus10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagramshowing an example of the configuration of the information processingapparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Also, a case in which an application executed by the informationprocessing apparatus 10 is an instant messenger exchanging various kindsof information in real time between a plurality of users via a networkwill be exemplified in the following description. In the instantmessenger, text information such as messages and image information suchas photos or images are transmitted and received between users and thetransmitted and received information is arranged and displayed in achronological order on a display screen. In the following description, aline in which exchanges of various kinds of information are arrangedbetween the plurality of users in chronological order and are displayedon the display screen is referred to as a timeline. The timeline can bedisplayed in a scrolling manner in a chronological direction on thedisplay screen and past exchange between the users can be referred to.Also, the following description will be made exemplifying a stamp thathas a display including a portion of any photo as the part used in theapplication and a background image displayed as a background at the timeof execution of the application. Here, the stamp refers to a part inwhich a predetermined frame is attached to any photo and which isattachable to any position on the display screen during the execution ofthe application. In the instant messenger, the stamp can be transmittedand received instead of a message or together with a message and thetransmitted and received stamp is displayed on a timeline. Thus, in theinstant messenger, display of the stamp can be said to be simple displayof a photo. Also, the background image refers to a part that isdisplayed as a background on a display screen during execution of anapplication. In the instant messenger, the background image can bedisplayed as a background of the display of the timeline.

Referring to FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 accordingto the present embodiment includes a control unit 110, a storage unit120, an imaging unit 130, a display unit 140, an input unit 150, and ause environment detection unit 160.

The control unit 110 integrally controls the information processingapparatus 10 and performs various kinds of information processingregarding control of execution of a predetermined application andgeneration of a part to be used by the application. The function and theconfiguration of the control unit 110 will be described in more detail.The control unit 110 includes an application control unit 111, a partgeneration unit 112, and a generation condition setting unit 113.

The application control unit 111 controls the execution of thepredetermined application and at least displays a part generated by thepart generation unit 112 on a display screen during the execution of theapplication. Specifically, the application control unit 111 executes thepredetermined application installed in the information processingapparatus 10 by transmitting and receiving various kinds of informationto and from the application management server 20 shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, the application control unit 111 activates the instantmessenger and displays transmission and reception of messages or thelike between designated specific users in the format of a timeline on adisplay screen of the display unit 140 while referring to accountinformation or the like of the users managed by the applicationmanagement server 20. Also, the application control unit 111 displaysthe part generated by the part generation unit 112 together with thetimeline on the display screen of the display unit 140.

When the part generated by the part generation unit 112 is a stamp, theapplication control unit 111 superimposes the stamp transmitted andreceived between the users on the timeline and displays the stamp on thedisplay screen. Also, the application control unit 111 can superimposeand display the stamp at any position on the timeline. For example, theapplication control unit 111 may display the stamp at a positionaccording to a transmission or reception time of the stamp on thetimeline or may trace back the timeline and display the stamp in regardto the exchange of a past message. Also, the application control unit111 may adjust the size or angle (rotational angle) of the stamp in anymanner and display the adjusted stamp on the timeline. The position, thesize, the angle, and the like of the stamp displayed by the applicationcontrol unit 111 may be designated appropriately by the user.

Also, when the part generated by the part generation unit 112 is abackground image, the application control unit 111 displays thebackground image as a background of the timeline on the display screen.The background image displayed as the background of the timeline on thedisplay screen may be selected in any manner by the user. Here, apredetermined image may be constantly displayed as the background imageregardless of scroll display of the timeline or the background image mayalso be scrolled according to the scroll display of the timeline. Whenthe background image is scroll-displayed, one background image may berepeatedly scroll-displayed or a plurality of mutually differentbackground images may be continuously scroll-displayed. Further, whenthe plurality of background images are continuously scroll-displayed, agap between the background images may be set according to content suchas a message, a photo, a stamp, or the like on the timeline. Also, forexample, when the exchange of information between the users is pausedonce and updating of the timeline resumes after a predetermined time,the application control unit 111 may switch and display the backgroundimage. Also, when a photo or a stamp is transmitted and received on thetimeline, the application control unit 111 may display a backgroundimage generated from the transmitted and received photo or a photoincluded in the transmitted and received stamp as a background after atransmission and reception timing of the photo or the stamp on thetimeline. Also, according to a transmitted and received message, theapplication control unit 111 may display a background image generatedfrom a photo associated with content of the message as a backgroundafter a transmission and reception timing of the message on thetimeline.

Also, the application control unit 111 may associate the part displayedon the display screen with the original photo data included in the partand perform an operation of an application. For example, when a stampdisplayed on the display screen is selected, the application controlunit 111 may switch the display of the display screen to display of aphoto included in the stamp or may display a photo included in the stampand another photo (for example, a photo or the like in which the sameperson is shown) associated with the photo on the display screen like aphoto album. Conversely, when any photo data is selected by a user, theapplication control unit 111 may display a list of parts which are partsin a predetermined application and are generated from the selected photodata.

Also, in the present embodiment, a part is generated from any photo dataowned by a user, as will be described later in the description of thefunction of the part generation unit 112. Accordingly, the partaccording to the present embodiment can be said to have a specificpersonal property of the user. The application control unit 111 cancontrol various applications based on the personal property of such apart. For example, the application control unit 111 may use the partaccording the present embodiment as a code having a link function topredetermined information. Specifically, when an application controlledby the application control unit 111 is a code reader that reads a2-dimensional code such as a bar code or a QR code (registeredtrademark) and extracts predetermined information, the applicationcontrol unit 111 may execute the application so that informationassociated with a photo included in the part is extracted by reading thepart according to the present embodiment displayed on the display screen(or printed on a paper medium). Also, for example, the applicationcontrol unit 111 may superimpose functions similar to a public keyfunction and a private key function for authenticating access to apredetermined area on the part according to the present embodiment.Specifically, when an application controlled by the application controlunit 111 is an application performing an access authentication processto a predetermined area, the application control unit 111 may executethe application so that access to the predetermined area isauthenticated, for example, under the condition that a specific part isowned or information regarding a photo included in the specific part isknown. In this way, the application control unit 111 can apply the partaccording to the present embodiment to diverse applications.

The part generation unit 112 generates a part that is suitable for apredetermined application and that includes at least a portion of anyphoto and is displayed on the display screen by the application. Also,the part generation unit 112 stores the generated part in a storage areawhich is under management of an application executed by the applicationcontrol unit 111. Here, photo data used to generate the part may be anyphoto data owned by the user. The function of the part generation unit112 will be described in more detail giving an example of theabove-described stamp and background image.

First, a case in which the part generated by the part generation unit112 is the stamp will be described. The stamp includes a photo and aframe. A photo used for the part generation unit 112 to generate thestamp may be any photo and may be a photo taken or acquired in advanceand stored in the storage unit 120. Also, the photo may be a photo takenin real time by the imaging unit 130 for the purpose of generating thestamp.

The frame is a decoration that is fringed around a photo in the stamp oris superimposed on a photo. In the present embodiment, the frame canhave any shape. For example, the frame according to the presentembodiment has any shape such as a polygonal shape (a triangular shape,a rectangular shape, or the like), a circular shape, a star shape, aheart shape, a teardrop shape, or a cloud shape. Also, the shape of theframe is not limited to an abstract shape, but may be a shaperepresenting a specific object such as a flower, an umbrella, the sun,or the like. When the frame has a shape such as O or x, messagecharacteristics such as “correct (good)” or “incorrect (bad)” can besuperimposed on the stamp. Also, when the frame itself contains textinformation such as “Thank you,” “Sorry,” or “OK” and the text issuperimposed on a photo, the feelings or intention of the user may besuperimposed on the stamp.

The part generation unit 112 generates the stamp by combining theselected frame and photo. For example, the part generation unit 112generates the stamp by trimming the circumference of a photo accordingto the shape of the selected frame. At this time, for example, when aphoto contains a person, the part generation unit 112 may adjust theposition or size of the photo inside the frame and then perform thetrimming so that the person is located at the center of the frame or ata predetermined position in the frame (for example, when the frame is aframe patterning the shape of glasses, eyes of the person in the photoare located at the positions of lenses of the glasses). Also, upongenerating the stamp, the part generation unit 112 may appropriatelyadjust a resolution, luminance, white balance, or the like of the photo.The resolution, luminance, white balance, or the like of the photo maybe adjusted according to a preset condition or may be set according tothe selected frame. For example, when a frame representing a sadfeeling, such as a frame patterning the shape of a tear, or a frameassociated with rain, such as a frame patterning the shape of a cloud,is selected, the part generation unit 112 may decrease the luminance todarken an image. Conversely, when a frame representing a joyous feelingis selected, the part generation unit 112 may increase the luminance toradiate the image.

Next, a case in which the part generated by the part generation unit 112is the background image will be described. The background image isgenerated from any photo. The photo used for the part generation unit112 to generate the background image may be any photo and may be a phototaken or acquired in advance and stored in the storage unit 120. Also,the photo may be a photo taken in real time by the imaging unit 130 forthe purpose of generating a background image.

For example, the background image according to the present embodiment isdisplayed as a background of the timeline of the instant messenger.Accordingly, the part generation unit 112 appropriately adjusts theresolution, luminance, or the like of the photo and generates thebackground image so that the background image does not interfere withdisplay of text information, image information, and the like of thetimeline. Also, the part generation unit 112 may generate a plurality ofmutually different background images from a plurality of mutuallydifferent photos.

The generation condition setting unit 113 sets a generation condition ofthe part generated by the part generation unit 112. For example, whenthe part is the stamp, the generation condition setting unit 113 sets aselection condition of the photo and the frame for generating the stamp.Also, for example, when the part is the background image, the generationcondition setting unit 113 sets a selection condition of a photo forgenerating the background image. Here, the generation condition settingunit 113 can set the generation condition based on at least one of anoperation input by the user, use environment information indicating anexecution status of the application, and various kinds of information(display information) displayed on the display screen during theexecution of the application by the application control unit 111.Hereinafter, the generation condition of the part set by the generationcondition setting unit 113 will be specifically described.

When the part is the stamp, the generation condition setting unit 113may set the generation condition so that the photo and the frame forgenerating the stamp are selected manually by the user. In the case ofthis generation condition, when the user selects the photo and theframe, the part generation unit 112 generates the stamp based on theselected photo and frame. Also, in this case, for example, the photo andthe frame may be selected by the user in any manner from the photos andthe frames stored in the storage unit 120, or the frame may be firstselected by the user and the photo may be subsequently taken by theimaging unit 130 according to the frame. Specifically, the selectedframe is displayed on a finder (for example, the display screen of thedisplay unit 140) when the imaging unit 130 takes the photo. Therefore,the user can take the photo while appropriately adjusting the position,size, or the like of a photographing target within the finder so as tobe suitable for the frame. Since a form in which the photo taken in thisway is combined with the frame is displayed already on the finder at thetime of the photography, the user can take a photograph whileanticipating a completed drawing of the stamp generated by the partgeneration unit 112. Therefore, the stamp can be generated in greateraccordance to the user's intentions.

Also, when the part is the stamp, the generation condition setting unit113 may set the generation condition so that the part generation unit112 can extract a photo suitable for a predetermined condition from, forexample, the photos stored in the storage unit 120 and automaticallygenerate the stamp from the selected photo. In the case of thisgeneration condition, for example, the frame is set in advance and thepart generation unit 112 generates the stamp by combining the extractedphoto with the frame. Specifically, an extraction condition of the photomay be set according to a thing (a person or the like) included in thephoto, a date on which the photo is taken, a location in which the photois taken, or the like. Also, a photo in which a specific person is shownor a photo in which a person having a specific expression on his or herface is shown may be extracted. Further, the part generation unit 112may have various functions of determining the above-described extractioncondition of the photo. For example, the part generation unit 112 mayhave a function of recognizing a face, an expression, or the like of aperson included in the photo or may have a function of acquiringinformation such as a photography date or a photography location frommetadata such as Exchangeable Image File Format (Exif) informationsubordinate to photo data.

Also, when the part is the stamp, the generation condition setting unit113 may set the generation condition so that at least one of the photoand the frame for generating the stamp is selected based on useenvironment information indicating a use status of the application. Inthis generation condition, the part generation unit 112 selects at leastone of the photo and the frame based on the use environment informationand generates the stamp based on the selected photo and/or the frame.Here, in the present embodiment, the use environment informationincludes all kinds of information when the information indicates a usestatus of the application. For example, the use environment informationincludes various kinds of information indicating an external environmentof the information processing apparatus 10. For example, the useenvironment information may be positional information regarding thecurrent position of the information processing apparatus 10. Also, theuse environment information may be information regarding weather in thesurrounding region including the current location during of theexecution of the application by the information processing apparatus 10.Also, the use environment information may be temporal informationregarding the current time. Also, the use environment information can bedetected by the use environment detection unit 160.

The generation condition setting unit 113 may set the generationcondition of the part so that the part generation unit 112 automaticallyselects the frame according to weather, for example, selects a framepatterning the shape of an umbrella or the shape of a cloud when theweather is rainy, and selects a frame patterning the sun when theweather is clear, based on information regarding weather included in theuse environment information, and generates the stamp. Also, thegeneration condition setting unit 113 may set the generation conditionof the part so that the part generation unit 112 automatically selectsthe frame according to the current location, for example, selects aframe with a shape patterning a famous product of a tourist attractionwhen the current location is the tourist attraction based on positionalinformation regarding the current position included in the useenvironment information, and generates the stamp. Also, the generationcondition setting unit 113 may set the generation condition of the partso that the part generation unit 112 automatically selects the frameaccording to a current time, for example, selects a frame giving abright impression when the current time is daytime, or selects a framegiving a dark impression when the current time is nighttime, based ontemporal information regarding the current time included in the useenvironment information, and generates the stamp.

Also, when the part is the stamp, the generation condition setting unit113 may set the generation condition of the part so that the partgeneration unit 112 generates the stamp based on display informationdisplayed on the display screen during the execution of the application.Examples of the display information include letter information such asmessages transmitted and received during the execution of theapplication and image information such as photos and stamps.Specifically, the generation condition setting unit 113 may set thegeneration condition of the part so that the part generation unit 112automatically selects a photo according to a conversation topic in thetimeline, for example, selects a photo (for example, a photo associatedwith a person, a location, an event, or the like mentioned in theconversation topic) associated with transmitted and received messages orphotos based on information regarding the transmitted and receivedmessages or photos included in the display information, and generatesthe stamp. Also, such display information may be frequently transmittedfrom the application control unit 111 to the generation conditionsetting unit 113 during the execution of the application.

On the other hand, when the part is the background image, the generationcondition setting unit 113 may set the generation condition so that aphoto for generating the background image is selected manually by theuser. In the case of this generation condition, when the user selects aphoto, the part generation unit 112 generates the background image basedon the selected photo. Also, in this case, the background image may begenerated from the photo selected from the photos stored in the storageunit 120 or the background image may be generated in real time from aphoto taken by the imaging unit 130.

Also, when the part is the background image, the generation conditionsetting unit 113 may set the generation condition so that the partgeneration unit 112 extracts a photo suitable for a predeterminedcondition from, for example, the photos stored in the storage unit 120and automatically generates the background image from the selectedphoto. In the case of this generation condition, for example, theplurality of background images may be generated automatically by thepart generation unit 112 from the plurality of extracted photos.Specifically, an extraction condition of the photo may be a thing (aperson or the like) included in the photo, a date on which the photo istaken, a location in which the photo is taken, or the like. Also, aphoto in which a specific person is shown or a photo in which a personhaving a specific expression on his or her face is shown may beextracted. Further, the part generation unit 112 may have variousfunctions of determining the above-described extraction condition of thephoto. For example, the part generation unit 112 may have a function ofrecognizing a face, an expression, or the like of a person included inthe photo or may have a function of acquiring information such as aphotography date or a photography location from metadata such as Exifinformation subordinate to photo data.

Also, when the part is the background image, the generation conditionsetting unit 113 may set the generation condition so that the photo forgenerating the background image is selected based on use environmentinformation indicating a use status of the application. In thisgeneration condition, the part generation unit 112 selects the photobased on the use environment information and generates the backgroundimage based on the selected photo. Here, in the present embodiment, theuse environment information includes all kinds of information when theinformation indicates a use status of the application. For example, theuse environment information includes various kinds of informationindicating an external environment of the information processingapparatus 10. For example, the use environment information may bepositional information regarding the current position of the informationprocessing apparatus 10. Also, the use environment information may beinformation regarding weather in the surrounding region including thecurrent location during of the execution of the application by theinformation processing apparatus 10. Also, the use environmentinformation may be temporal information regarding the current time.Also, the use environment information can be detected by the useenvironment detection unit 160.

For example, the generation condition setting unit 113 may set thegeneration condition of the part so that the part generation unit 112automatically selects the photo according to weather, for example,selects a photo in which a form of rain photographed previously is drawnwhen the weather is rainy, and selects a photo in which a form of clearweather is previously drawn when the weather is clear, based oninformation regarding weather included in the use environmentinformation, and generates the background image. Also, the generationcondition setting unit 113 may set the generation condition of the partso that the part generation unit 112 automatically selects the photoaccording to the current location, for example, selects a photo takenpreviously in a tourist attraction when the current location is thetourist attraction based on positional information regarding the currentposition included in the use environment information, and generates thebackground image. Also, the generation condition setting unit 113 mayset the generation condition of the part so that the part generationunit 112 automatically selects the photo according to the current time,for example, selects a photo taken during the day when the current timeis daytime, or selects a photo taken at night when the current time isnighttime, based on temporal information regarding the current timeincluded in the use environment information, and generates thebackground image.

Also, when the part is the background image, the generation conditionsetting unit 113 may set the generation condition of the part so thatthe part generation unit 112 generates the background image based ondisplay information displayed on the display screen during the executionof the application. Specifically, the generation condition setting unit113 may set the generation condition of the part so that the partgeneration unit 112 automatically selects a photo according to aconversation topic in the timeline, for example, selects a photo (forexample, a photo associated with a person, a location, an event, or thelike mentioned in the conversation topic) associated with informationregarding the transmitted and received messages or photos in thetimeline, and generates the background image. Also, such displayinformation may be frequently transmitted from the application controlunit 111 to the generation condition setting unit 113 during theexecution of the application.

The functions and the configurations of the application control unit111, the part generation unit 112, and the generation condition settingunit 113 according to the present embodiment have been described aboveand the part generating and using process according to the presentembodiment has been described. Also, the part generating and usingprocess according to the present embodiment will be described morespecifically in the following <3. Specific example of part generatingand using process> while showing a display example of the display screenof the display unit 140.

Next, another configuration of the information processing apparatus 10will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The storage unit 120 is an example of a storage part that stores variouskinds of information processed by the information processing apparatus10. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 120 can store variouskinds of information used in the part generating and using processperformed by the control unit 110 or a process result. For example, thestorage unit 120 stores information regarding the photo, the frame, orthe like for generating the part. Also, the storage unit 120 may storeinformation regarding the part generated by the part generation unit112. Also, the information regarding the photo, the frame, or the likestored in the storage unit 120 may be appropriately updated by newlyacquiring information regarding a photo or a frame through communicationwith another external apparatus via the network 30 or newlyphotographing a photo by the imaging unit 130. Also, the part stored inthe storage unit 120 is not limited to the part generated by the partgeneration unit 112, but a part used by another user during theexecution of the application may also be stored in the storage unit 120.Also, the storage area in which the information regarding the part inthe storage unit 120 is stored may be a storage area (that is, a storagearea which can be easily accessed by the application) managed under theapplication corresponding to the part. The part according to the presentembodiment is suitable for the predetermined application, the part canbe stored in the storage area corresponding to the application.

The imaging unit 130 is an example of an imaging part that photographs aphotographing target in the format of a moving image or a still image.In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 130 includes a camera thattakes a photo of a photographing target. The imaging unit 130 storesphoto data of the taken photo in the storage unit 120. Also, in thepresent embodiment, as described above, the part (stamp) can begenerated in real time by displaying the frame on the finder of theimaging unit 130 and taking a photo.

The display unit 140 is an example of an output part that visuallyoutputs various kinds of information in all of the formats of text, agraph, an image, and the like to the user. The display unit 140includes, for example, a display device and outputs various kinds ofinformation to the user by displaying the information on a displayscreen of the display device. In the present embodiment, driving of thedisplay unit 140 is controlled by the application control unit 111 andinformation regarding an application executed by the application controlunit 111 is displayed on the display screen. For example, when theapplication executed by the application control unit 111 is an instantmessenger, the display unit 140 displays a message or a photo (that is,a timeline) transmitted and received by a user, a part that is suitablefor the instant messenger, a message field for inputting the transmittedand received message, and the like on the display screen. Also, when theimaging unit 130 takes a photo, the display screen of the display unit140 may also function as a finder.

The input unit 150 is an operation part that is operated by a user andis an example of an operation unit with which various kinds ofinformation, an instruction regarding a process, and the like are inputto the information processing apparatus 10. The input unit 150 includes,for example, an operation part such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touchpanel, a button, or a switch. In the present embodiment, an operation ofan application by the application control unit 111 may be controlledaccording to information, an instruction, or the like input from theinput unit 150. Also, the setting of the generation condition of thepart by the generation condition setting unit 113 may be controlledaccording to information, an instruction, or the like input from theinput unit 150. Also, a process of taking a photo by the imaging unit130 may be controlled via the input unit 150. Also, when the informationprocessing apparatus 10 is a smartphone or a tablet PC, the display unit140 and the input unit 150 may be integrated to form a touch panel.

The use environment detection unit 160 is an example of a detection partthat detects the use environment information indicating a use status ofan application. The use environment detection unit 160 includes, forexample, various sensors. For example, the use environment detectionunit 160 may include a position measurement device such as a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) sensor device and acquire positionalinformation of the current position of the information processingapparatus 10 as the use environment information. Also, for example, theuse environment detection unit 160 may acquire information regardingweather at the current position of the information processing apparatus10 as the use environment information based on the acquired informationregarding the current position by communicating with an externalinformation providing server or the like. Also, for example, the useenvironment detection unit 160 may acquire temporal informationregarding the current time as the use environment information. The useenvironment information acquired by the use environment detection unit160 is used to set the generation condition of the part by thegeneration condition setting unit 113.

The examples of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10according to the present embodiment have been described above withreference to FIG. 2. Each of the foregoing constituent elements may beconfigured using a general-purpose member or circuit or may beconfigured by hardware specialized for the function of each constituentelement. Also, a CPU or the like may have all of the functions of theconstituent elements. Accordingly, the configuration to be used may bemodified appropriately according to a technical level, for example, whenthe present embodiment is realized.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, the partgeneration unit 112 generates the part that is suitable for thepredetermined application and that includes at least a portion of anyphoto and is displayed on the display screen by the application. Then,the application control unit 111 displays the part generated by the partgeneration unit 112 on the display screen during the execution of theapplication. Thus, in the present embodiment, the user can use the photoin the application more simply by using the photo as one part of theapplication. Accordingly, the convenience of the user at the time of theuse of the application is improved. Also, in the present embodiment, thegeneration condition setting unit 113 appropriately sets the generationcondition of the part. Since the part desired by the user is generatedby setting the generation condition according to the intention of theuser, the convenience of the user at the time of the use of the part isfurther improved.

Specifically, when the application is an instant messenger and photodata is attempted to be delivered to a partner in the general instantmessenger, the instant messenger and the photo data are not linked, thatis, the photo data is not information under the management of theinstant messenger. Accordingly, when the photo data is transmitted andreceived, it is necessary for the user to go through the trouble ofdesignating the storage area in which the photo data desired by the useris stored or changing the data size or the format of the photo data to aformat appropriate for the transmission and reception depending on thedata size or data format of the photo data. Therefore, there is aprobability of smooth communication being interrupted. On the otherhand, in the present embodiment, by processing the photo data to thepart suitable for the instant messenger, the photo data can be used asone part of the instant messenger. Since the part is suitable for apredetermined application, the part is stored in a predetermined storagearea easily accessed by the application, under the management of theapplication. Also, when the part is generated from the photo data, thedata size or the data format is changed to a format suitable for use inthe application. Accordingly, in the part generating and using processaccording to the present embodiment, the generated part, that is, thephoto data, can be used more simply in the application, therebyimproving the convenience of the user.

Also, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10according to the present embodiment is not limited to the configurationshown in FIG. 2. The information processing apparatus 10 may furtherhave a known configuration of an information processing apparatus suchas a general PC or smartphone in addition to the configuration shown inFIG. 2. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 may includea communication unit that is connected to the network 30 shown in FIG. 1and transmits and receives various kinds of information to and fromanother information processing apparatus 10 or the applicationmanagement server 20. The information processing apparatus 10 cancontrol execution of an application by transmitting and receivingvarious kinds of information to and from the application managementserver 20 via the communication unit. Also, in the present embodiment,it is not necessary for one apparatus to perform all of the processesperformed by the information processing apparatus 10, but theconstituent elements of the information processing apparatus 10 shown inFIG. 2 may be separated into a plurality of different apparatuses. Thus,in the present embodiment, the configurations of the part generating andusing system 1 and the information processing apparatus 10 realizing thepart generating and using process are not limited to the examples shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, but the part generating and using system 1 and theinformation processing apparatus 10 may have any configuration as longas it performs the above-described part generating and using process.

Also, the configurations of the part generating and using system 1 andthe information processing apparatus 10 have been described exemplifyingthe case in which the application is the instant messenger and the partis the stamp or the background image used in the instant messenger, butthe present embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, theapplication may be various types of mail software and the part may be apictograph used in the mail software. When the part is a pictograph usedin the mail software, the part generation unit 112 can generate apictograph including at least a portion of a photo by selecting thephoto or a decoration of the photo, or the like according to thegeneration condition set by the generation condition setting unit 113.The application control unit 111 can superimpose the generatedpictograph on a message and transmit and receive the pictograph as mail.Also, for example, the application may be any of various types of onlinegames and the part may be an image representing a face of an avatar orthe like used in the online game. When the part is an image representinga face of an avatar or the like used in the online game, the partgeneration unit 112 can generate a facial image of the avatar includingat least a portion of a photo by selecting the photo, a decoration ofthe photo, or the like according to the generation condition set by thegeneration condition setting unit 113. The application control unit 111can reflect the generated facial image in a graphic of the face of acharacter in the game.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case in which thepart generated by the part generation unit 112 is stored in the storageunit 120 of the information processing apparatus 10 has been described,but the present embodiment is not limited to this example. For example,the part generating and using system according to the present embodimentmay be configured such that a server storing and managing the generatedpart is installed on a network (that is, on a cloud) which can beaccessed from the plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 andthe part can be shared between the plurality of users. An example of theconfiguration of the part generating and using system according to thepresent embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a functional blockdiagram showing an example of the configuration of the part generatingand using system according to a modification example of the presentembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, a part generating and using system 2 according tothe modification example of the present embodiment is configured suchthat information processing apparatuses 10, an application managementserver 20, and a part management server 40 are connected to communicatewith each other via a network 30. Here, since the functions and theconfigurations of the information processing apparatus 10 and theapplication management server 20 in the part generating and using system2 are the same as the functions and the configurations of theinformation processing apparatus 10 and the application managementserver 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the detailed description thereof willbe omitted.

The part management server 40 is an information processing apparatusthat stores and manages the part generated by the information processingapparatus 10. The part stored in the part management server 40 can befrequently updated according to the generation of the part by theinformation processing apparatus 10 and can be shared between specificusers (for example, users permitted to access the part management server40). That is, the user permitted to access the part management server 40can use the part stored in the part management server 40 while accessingthe part management server 40 during execution of an application in theinformation processing apparatus 10 of the user. Also, the partmanagement server 40 can link the part to an application correspondingto the part and can store and manage the part so that the part can besmoothly used in the application. Specifically, in the part managementserver 40, the part can be stored in a storage area (that is, a storagearea which can be easily accessed by the application) managed with thecontrol of the application by the application control unit 111 of theinformation processing apparatus 10. Also, the part management server 40can attach various priority orders to manage the parts. For example,when the parts are provided to a user, the part management server 40 canprovide the parts in consideration of the priority orders, for example,by preferentially suggesting a frequently used part or a newly generatedpart to the user.

Also, the part generating and using system 2 according to themodification example of the present embodiment may be configured suchthat the part management server 40 manages the part and also generatesthe part. That is, the part generating and using system 2 may beconfigured such that the information processing apparatus 10 does nothave the functions of the part generation unit 112 and the generationcondition setting unit 113 but the part management server 40 has thesefunctions. Further, when the part is a stamp, the part management server40 may manage the frame in addition to the part. When the partgenerating and using system 2 is configured in this way, for example,data of a photo desired to be converted to a part by a user to the partmanagement server 40 is transmitted so that the part management server40 converts the photo to the part and the part management server 40manages the generated part. The user can generate and use the desiredpart by accessing the part management server 40. When the partgenerating and using system 2 is configured in this way, a storagecapacity of the storage unit 120 in the information processing apparatus10 or loads of various processes in the control unit 110 can be reduced,thereby further simplifying the configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 10.

3. Specific Examples of Part Generating and Using Process

Next, specific examples of the part generating and using processaccording to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 4, 5, and 6A to 6C showing a display example of the display screenof the display unit 140. Hereinafter, a case in which the part is astamp and a case in which the part is a background image will bedescribed as the specific examples of the part according to the presentembodiment.

[3-1. Case in which Part is Stamp]

First, the part generating and using process in the case in which thepart is a stamp will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display screen in thepart generating and using process according to the present embodiment inthe case in which the part is the stamp. FIG. 5 is an explanatorydiagram for describing the configuration of the stamp according to thepresent embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, a timeline 513 is displayed on a display screen510. Here, the display screen 510 corresponds to the display screen ofthe display unit 140 of the information processing apparatus 10 shown inFIG. 2. Also, the timeline 513 is a timeline arranged and displayed inchronological order in which messages, photos, stamps, or the liketransmitted and received (posted) between users are posted in theinstant messenger which is an example of the application executed by theinformation processing apparatus 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the timeline 513 includes messages 511 ato 511 c and stamps 512 a to 512 d. Also, the timeline 513 is configuredsuch that the messages 511 a to 511 c and the stamps 512 a to 512 d aredisplayed in chronological order from the top to the bottom of thedisplay screen 510. Here, the stamps 512 a to 512 d are specificexamples of the parts generated by the part generation unit 112 of theinformation processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 and used by theinstant messenger which is an example of the application.

In the present embodiment, the users can mutually declare theirintentions by posting the messages and the stamps during the executionof the application. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, themessage 511 a is transmitted from one user (for example, user A) to askwhether she has finished work and the stamp 512 a generated from a photoobtained by photographing her office is transmitted. On the other hand,the stamp 512 b generated from a photo obtained by photographing acrying face of the other user (for example, user B) is transmitted fromthe other user and the message 511 b indicating that she has notfinished work is posted. Thus, in the present embodiment, closercommunication is realized between the users by posting not only themessages but also the stamps including the photos associated with thecontent of the messages.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the message 511 c indicatingsuggestion of a meal is transmitted from the foregoing user B and thestamp 512 c generated from a photo obtained by photographing thestorefront of a pizza store is transmitted. Also, a frame on which thetext “Love it!” showing “a favorite” of user B is superimposed is usedin the stamp 512 c. Accordingly, other users referring to the stamp 512c can know that user B wants to go to the pizza store shown in the stamp512 c. On the other hand, the stamp 512 d generated from a photoobtained by photographing a steak is posted by the foregoing user A.Other users referring to the stamp 512 d can know that user A wants toeat the steak. Thus, in the present embodiment, since the stampscontaining the photos and the information pictured in the photos areexchanged between the users, communication can be performed only byposting the stamps.

Also, in the present embodiment, the positions at which the stamps 512 ato 512 d are superimposed and displayed on the timeline 513 can beadjusted appropriately by the user. Also, when the stamps 512 a to 512 dare superimposed and displayed on the timeline 513, the sizes, theangles (rotational angles), or the like of the stamps 512 a to 512 d canalso be adjusted appropriately by the user. Accordingly, for example,the sizes or the angles of the stamps 512 a to 512 d can be adjusted sothat the timeline 513 is traced back to superimpose and display thestamps 512 a to 512 d in regard to a previous conversation topic or aspecific impression is given to the user receiving the stamps 512 a to512 d.

Here, the configuration of the stamp according to the present embodimentwill be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. As described abovein <2. Configuration of information processing apparatus>, the stampaccording to the present embodiment includes a photo and a frame. InFIG. 5, the configuration of the stamp 512 b shown in FIG. 4 is shown asan example of the stamp.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the stamp 512 b is generated, a frame 514 witha teardrop shape and a photo 515 obtained by photographing a crying faceare selected. The frame 514 and the photo 515 may be selected accordingto the setting of the generation condition by the generation conditionsetting unit 113 shown in FIG. 2, may be selected manually by the user,or may be automatically selected according to a predetermined condition.The part generation unit 112 generates a stamp by combining the selectedframe 514 and photo 515. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 5, astamp 512 b is generated by trimming the photo 515 according to theshape of the frame 514. Also, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5,when the stamp 512 b is generated, other imaging processing may beperformed appropriately by lowering the resolution of the photo 515 oradjusting the luminance, white balance, or the like of the photo 515.

The part generating and using process in the case in which the part isthe stamp has been described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Inthe present embodiment, as described above, the user can transmit thestamp instead of transmitting the photo since the photo is changed tothe part having the format suitable for the application. Accordingly,personal messages can be delivered more simply, for example, bygenerating a stamp from a self photo and transmitting the stamp.Accordingly, diverse methods of promoting communication between userscan be realized, and thus convenience of the user is improved. Also, inthe present embodiment, the timeline on which the stamp is superimposedcan represent a history of the communication between users and cansimultaneously serve as album content of a photo album or a picturediary. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, not only can animprovement of the convenience in communication between users berealized, but attractive album content can also be generated moresimply.

[3-2. Case in which Part is Background Image]

Next, the part generating and using process in the case in which thepart is a background image will be described with reference to FIGS. 6Ato 6C. FIGS. 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams showing an example ofdisplay screen in the part generating and using process according to thepresent embodiment in the case in which the part is a background image.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, a timeline 610 displayed on the displayscreen is shown. Here, as in the timeline 513 shown in FIG. 4, thetimeline 610 is a timeline arranged and displayed in chronological orderin which messages, photos, or stamps posted between users are posted inthe instant messenger which is an example of the application executed bythe information processing apparatus 10. Also, for example, the timeline610 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 140 of theinformation processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2. In the exampleshown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, messages and stamps can be arranged from thetop to the bottom in the drawing in chronological order in the timeline610. Also, FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show a form in which the timeline 610and the background image are changed in order when new messages andstamps are posted in the timeline 610.

First, referring to FIG. 6A, the timeline 610 includes messages 611 a to611 f. Also, a background image 613 a is displayed in the background ofthe timeline 610. Here, the background image 613 a is a specific exampleof the part which is generated by the part generation unit 112 of theinformation processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 and is used in theinstant messenger which is an example of the application. That is, thebackground image 613 a is generated from a photo and is, for example, aphoto in which one scene of a party is photographed in the example shownin FIG. 6A. The background image generated from the photo in whichpersons, food, beverages, and the like are photographed is shown.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a form in which new messages 611 g to 611 j areposted and the timeline 610 is updated from the state shown in FIG. 6Ais shown. Also, in FIG. 6B, as the latest post of the timeline 610, astamp 612 in which 2 persons are photographed is posted. Here, in thepresent embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the timeline 610 is updated,that is, when the timeline 610 is scroll-displayed, the background image613 a may also be displayed scroll-displayed simultaneously. When thebackground image 613 a is scroll-displayed together with the timeline610, the degree (speed) of the scroll display of the background image613 a may be substantially the same as a speed of the scroll display ofthe timeline 610 or may be different from the speed of the scrolldisplay of the timeline 610. By performing the display such that thespeed of the scroll display of the background image 613 a is differentfrom the speed of the scroll display of the timeline 610, it is possibleto produce a so-called parallax effect in which the display of thedisplay screen causes users to sense depth. Such scroll display of thetimeline 610 and the background image 613 a is controlled by, forexample, the application control unit 111 shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6C shows a form in which new messages 611 k and 6111 are furtherposted and the timeline 610 is further updated from the state shown inFIG. 6B. Also, in FIG. 6C, a form in which the background image 613 a isalso scroll-displayed with the update of the timeline 610 is shown, butanother background image 613 b is displayed on the lower side (that is,the chronological direction in the timeline 610) of the background image613 a. The background image 613 b is a background image generated from aphoto contained in the stamp 612, and the display of the backgroundimage 613 a and the display of the background image 613 b are switchedusing a position at which the stamp 612 is posted in the timeline 610 asa separation. Thus, in the present embodiment, a background image whichis a part in the instant messenger may be newly generated based ondisplay information such as a message, a photo, a stamp, or the likeposted to the instant messenger and the generated background image maybe displayed on the display screen. In the example of the configurationof the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2, theinformation regarding the content of the stamp 612 posted to thetimeline 610 is transmitted from the application control unit 111 to thegeneration condition setting unit 113, the generation condition of thepart is set by the generation condition setting unit 113 based on thetransmitted information regarding the stamp 612 so that the backgroundimage 613 b is generated using the photo contained in the stamp 612, andthe background image 613 b is generated by the part generation unit 112based on the set generation condition, thereby realizing the state shownin FIG. 6C. Also, a timing at which the background image is newlygenerated and a timing at which the generated background image isdisplayed on the display screen are not limited to the timing at whichthe stamp shown in FIG. 6C is posted. For example, a new backgroundimage may be generated or displayed based on the content of a postedmessage.

The part generating and using process in the case in which the part isthe background image has been described above with reference to FIGS. 6Ato 6C. In the present embodiment, as described above, the backgroundimage which is the part generated from the photo is displayed as thebackground during the execution of the application. Also, the backgroundimage can be a background image reflecting exchange of the informationbetween the users in the application. Accordingly, communication betweenthe users can be further promoted and the display itself according tothe timeline and the background image can serve as album content, as inthe case in which the part is the stamp. Accordingly, in the presentembodiment, not only can an improvement of the convenience incommunication between the users be realized, but attractive albumcontent can also be generated more simply.

4. Processing Order of Part Generating and Using Method

Next, a processing order of a part generating and using method accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of theprocessing order of the part generating and using method according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure. Also, in the followingdescription of the processing order of the part generating and usingmethod, a case in which the part generating and using method accordingto the present embodiment is realized with the configurations of thepart generating and using systems 1 and 2 and the information processingapparatuses 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 will be exemplified. Also,since the functions and the configurations of the constituent elementsof the part generating and using systems 1 and 2 and the informationprocessing apparatuses 10 are the same as those described above in theforegoing <1. Configuration of part generating and using system> and <2.Configuration of information processing apparatus>, the detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step S701, the generation condition of the partis first set by the generation condition setting unit 113. Thegeneration condition of the part may be, for example, a conditionindicating that portions included in a part such as a photo, a frame, orthe like are selected manually by a user or may be a conditionindicating that portions included in a part such as a photo, a frame, orthe like are automatically extracted under a predetermined condition.Also, the generation condition of the part may be set based on the useenvironment information, the display information, or the like.

Subsequently, in step S703, the part is generated by the part generationunit 112 based on the generation condition set in step S701. The part isa part that is used in an application executed by the applicationcontrol unit 111 and is suitable for the application. In the presentembodiment, the part is a part that includes a portion of a photo and isdisplayed on the display screen during the execution of the application.Specifically, the part is, for example, a stamp or a background imagedisplayed on the display screen during the execution of the application.Also, the photo used to generate the part may be a photo that is takenor acquired previously and is stored in the storage unit 120 or may be aphoto that is taken in real time to generate the part. The partgenerated by the part generation unit 112 is stored in a storage areawhich can be managed by a corresponding application (that is, a storagearea which is easily accessed by the application) in the storage unit120 of the information processing apparatus 10. Alternatively, when thepart management server 40 is separately installed as in the example ofthe configuration shown in FIG. 3, the part generated by the partgeneration unit 112 may be stored in the part management server 40 andmay be managed to be sharable between a plurality of users.

Subsequently, in step S705, whether a predetermined input in theapplication is performed is determined by the application control unit111. Here, the predetermined input in step S705 may be an inputindicating use of the part. For example, the predetermined input is aninput indicating posting of a stamp in the instant messenger or an inputindicating setting of a background image. Also, the predetermined inputmay include an input of selecting a certain part to be used among aplurality of parts stored in the storage unit 120 and the partmanagement server 40. For example, the application control unit 111 candetermine whether the input indicating use of the part is performedaccording to an operation input of the user input from the input unit150. When the predetermined input indicating the use of the part in theapplication is not performed in step S705, the process returns to stepS701 and the setting of the generation condition of the part and thegeneration of the part are repeatedly performed so that the parts aresequentially generated and accumulated according to the generationcondition. When the predetermined input indicating the use of the partin the application is performed in step S705, the process proceeds tostep S707.

In step S707, the part is used in the application by the applicationcontrol unit 111. Here, the use of the part in step S707 may be displayof the part selected in step S705 on the display screen. Also, in stepS707, the size, the position, or the like of the part displayed on thedisplay screen may be adjusted through, for example, an operation inputof a user via the input unit 150.

When the part is displayed on the display screen in step S707, theseries of processes in the part generating and using method according tothe present embodiment ends. In the present embodiment, however, theprocesses from step S701 to step S707 described above are repeatedlyperformed so that the generation, the storage, and the use of the partare frequently performed. Accordingly, the parts which can be used inthe application by the user gradually increase, thereby improving thedegree of freedom when the user uses the parts.

The processing order of the part generating and using method accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described abovewith reference to FIG. 7. Also, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is merelyan example of the processing order of the part generating and usingmethod according to the present embodiment and the present embodiment isnot limited to this example. For example, the processing order of thepart generating and using method according to the present embodiment mayinclude various processes that can be performed in the part generatingand using process according to the present embodiment described in theforegoing <1. Configuration of part generating and using system>, <2.Configuration of information processing apparatus>, and <3. Specificexamples of part generating and using process> in addition to theprocesses shown in the steps of FIG. 7.

5. Hardware Configuration

Next, a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagramshowing the hardware configuration of the information processingapparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The information processing apparatus 10 mainly includes a CPU 901, a ROM903, and a RAM 905. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10further includes a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, aninterface 913, an imaging device 914, an input device 915, an outputdevice 917, a storage device 919, a communication device 921, a drive923, and a connection port 925.

The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic operation processing device and acontrol device, and controls all or some of operations performed in theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to various kinds ofprograms recorded in the ROM 903, the RAM 905, the storage device 919,and a removable recording medium 929. The CPU 901 corresponds to, forexample, the control unit 110 shown in FIG. 2 in the present embodiment,and performs processes on various kinds of information in the partgenerating and using process according to the present embodiment. TheROM 903 stores programs that the CPU 901 uses, arithmetic operationparameters, and the like. The RAM 905 primarily stores programs that theCPU 901 uses, parameters that appropriately change in execution of theprograms, and the like. The CPU 901, the ROM 903, and the RAM 905 areconnected to one another by the host bus 907 configured by an internalbus such as a CPU bus.

The host bus 907 is connected to the external bus 911 such as a PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus via the bridge 909. Inaddition, the imaging device 914, the input device 915, the outputdevice 917, the storage device 919, the communication device 921, thedrive 923, and the connection port 925 are connected to the external bus911 via the interface 913.

The imaging device 914 is an imaging part such as a camera thatphotographs photographing targets in the form of a moving image or astill image. To be specific, the imaging device 914 has a plurality oflight-sensing elements arrayed in a two-dimensional shape, can acquireimage signals expressing images of photographing targets by performingphotoelectric conversion using the light-sensing elements, and cangenerate still images and moving images of the photographing targets byperforming various kinds of signal processes on the image signals. Inthe present embodiment, for example, the imaging device 914 correspondsto the imaging unit 130 shown in FIG. 2 and acquires a photo used togenerate a part in the part generating and using process according tothe present embodiment.

The input device 915 is an operation part which users operate, forexample, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, alever, and the like. In addition, the input device 915 may be, forexample, a remote controlling part (so-called remote controller) thatuses infrared rays or other radio waves, or may be externally connecteddevice 931 such as a mobile telephone or a PDA corresponding tooperations of the information processing apparatus 10. Furthermore, theinput device 915 is configured as, for example, an input control circuitthat generates input signals based on, for example, information input bya user using the operation part described above and outputs the signalsto the CPU 901. A user of the information processing apparatus 10 caninput various kinds of data or instruct the information processingapparatus 10 on processing operations by operating the input device 915.In the present embodiment, for example, the input device 915 correspondsto the input unit 150 shown in FIG. 2 and a user can input aninstruction to perform an operation of an application executed in theinformation processing apparatus 10 or various instructions to generatea part through an operation input via the input unit 150.

The output device 917 is configured as a device that can inform users ofacquired information in a visual or auditory manner. As such a device,there are display devices including a CRT display device, a liquidcrystal display device, a plasma display device, an EL display device,and a lamp, audio output devices including a speaker, and a headphone, aprinting device, a mobile phone, and the like. The output device 917outputs, for example, results obtained from various kinds of processesperformed by the information processing apparatus 10. To be specific, adisplay device displays results obtained from various kinds of processesperformed by the information processing apparatus 10 in various forms oftext, a graph, an image, and the like. In the present embodiment, forexample, the display device corresponds to the display unit 140 shown inFIG. 2 and performs display indicating an operation of the applicationexecuted in the information processing apparatus 10 and displays thegenerated part or the like on the display screen of the display device.On the other hand, an audio output device converts audio signals thatinclude reproduced voice data, acoustic data, and the like into analogsignals and outputs the signals.

The storage device 919 is a device for data storage configured as anexample of a storage unit of the information processing apparatus 10.The storage device 919 is configured by, for example, a magnetic storagedevice such an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor storage device, anoptical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. The storagedevice 919 stores programs executed by the CPU 901, various kinds ofdata, various kinds of data acquired from outside, and the like. In thepresent embodiment, for example, the storage device 919 corresponds tothe storage unit 120 shown in FIG. 2 and stores various kinds ofinformation performed in the part generating and using process accordingto the present embodiment. For example, the storage device 919 storesinformation regarding a photo or a frame used to generate the part, thegenerated part, or the like.

Also, although not shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus10 may have each of the following configurations.

The communication device 921 is a communication interface configured bya communication device or the like to be connected to, for example, acommunication network (network) 927. The communication device 921 is acommunication card for, for example, a wired or wireless LAN (Local AreaNetwork), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a WUSB (Wireless USB). Inaddition, the communication device 921 may be a router for opticalcommunication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), amodem for various kinds of communication, or the like. The communicationdevice 921 can transmit and receive signals and the like based on apredetermined protocol, for example, TCP, IP, or the like with, forexample, the Internet or other communication devices. Furthermore, thenetwork 927 connected to the communication device 921 is configured by anetwork to which connection is made in a wired or wireless manner, andmay be, for example, the Internet, a household LAN, infraredcommunication, radio wave communication, satellite communication, or thelike. In the present embodiment, for example, the network 927corresponds to the network 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the informationprocessing apparatus 10 can cause the communication device 921 totransmit and receive various kinds of information to and from anotherinformation processing apparatus 10, the application management server20, the part management server 40, or the like via the network 927. Forexample, the communication device 921 can transmit and receive variouskinds of information necessary to execute an application by performingcommunication with the application management server 20 via the network927. Also, for example, the communication device 921 can transmit andreceive various kinds of information regarding generation or managementof the part by performing communication with the part management server40 via the network 927.

The drive 923 is a reader/writer for recording media, and built in orexternally connected to the information processing apparatus 10. Thedrive 923 reads information recorded on the removable recording medium929 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, ora semiconductor memory loaded therein, and outputs the information tothe RAM 905. In addition, the drive 923 can also write various kinds ofinformation on the removable recording medium 929 such as a magneticdisk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, or a semiconductor memoryloaded therein. The removable recording medium 929 is, for example, aDVD medium, an HD-DVD medium, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) medium,or the like. Furthermore, the removable recording medium 929 may be aCompactFlash (CF) (registered trademark), a flash memory, an SD memorycard (Secure Digital memory card), or the like. Moreover, the removablerecording medium 929 may be, for example, an IC card (Integrated Circuitcard) on which a non-contact-type IC chip is mounted, an electronicdevice, or the like. In the present embodiment, the informationprocessing apparatus 10 can read various kinds of information relatingto the part generating and using process according to the presentembodiment from the removable recording medium 929 or write theinformation on the removable recording medium 929 via the drive 923.

The connection port 925 is a port for connecting other external devicesdirectly to the information processing apparatus 10. As an example ofthe connection port 925, there is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, anIEEE 1394 port, an SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port, or thelike. As another example of the connection port 925, there is an RS-232Cport, an optical audio terminal, an HDMI (High-Definition MultimediaInterface) (registered trademark) port, or the like. By connecting theexternally connected device 931 to the connection port 925, theinformation processing apparatus 10 can acquire various kinds ofinformation directly from the externally connected device 931, orprovide various kinds of information to the externally connected device931. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10can acquire various kinds of information relating to the part generatingand using process according to the present embodiment from theexternally connected device 931 or output such information to theexternally connected device 931 via the connection port 925.

Also, although not shown in FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus10 may have the following configuration. For example, the informationprocessing apparatus 10 may include a sensor device that detects a usestatus of an application executed by the information processingapparatus 10. The sensor device is, for example, a detection part suchas a sensor that detects a motion of the information processingapparatus 10 or a sensor that acquires positional information indicatinga current position. Examples of the sensor device include a motionsensor device such as a triaxial acceleration sensor device such as anacceleration sensor device, a gravity detection sensor device, or a falldetection sensor device or a triaxial gyro sensor device such as anangular speed sensor device, a hand-shake correction sensor device, or ageomagnetic sensor device and a GPS sensor device. Also, the sensordevice may include various known measurement devices such as athermometer, an illuminometer, and a hygrometer in addition to theabove-described devices. In the present embodiment, for example, thesensor device corresponds to the use environment detection unit 160shown in FIG. 2. Also, the information processing apparatus 10 mayinclude a power supply device (battery device) that supplies power toeach of the foregoing configurations of the information processingapparatus 10. For example, various secondary cells such as lithium ionsecondary cells are applied to the power supply device.

Hereinabove, the example of the hardware configuration that can realizethe functions of the information processing apparatus 10 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure has been introduced with referenceto FIG. 8. The constituent elements described above may be configuredusing general-purpose members, or may be configured by softwarespecified in the functions of the constituent elements. Thus, thehardware configuration to be used can be appropriately changed accordingto technical levels whenever the present embodiment is implemented.

Note that a computer program for realizing the functions of theinformation processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodimentas described above can be produced or installed in a personal computeror the like. In addition, a recording medium on which such a computerprogram is stored and which can be read by computers can also beprovided. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, anoptical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a flash memory, or the like. Inaddition, the computer program may be distributed via, for example, anetwork without using a recording medium.

6. Conclusion

As described above, in the present embodiment, the following advantagescan be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the part generation unit 112 generates thepart that is suitable for a predetermined application and that includesat least a portion of any photo and is displayed on the display screenby the application. Then, the application control unit 111 displays thepart generated by the part generation unit 112 on the display screenduring the execution of the application. Thus, in the presentembodiment, the user can use the photo in the application more simply byusing the photo as one part of the application. Accordingly, theconvenience of the user at the time of the use of the application isimproved. Also, in the present embodiment, the generation conditionsetting unit 113 appropriately sets the generation condition of thepart. Since the part desired by the user is generated by setting thegeneration condition according to the intention of the user, theconvenience of the user at the time of the use of the part is furtherimproved.

Specifically, when the application is an instant messenger and photodata is attempted to be delivered to a partner in the general instantmessenger, the instant messenger and the photo data are not linked, thatis, the photo data is not information under the management of theinstant messenger. Accordingly, when the photo data is transmitted andreceived, it is necessary for the user to go through the trouble ofdesignating the storage area in which the photo data desired by the useris stored or changing the data size or the format of the photo data to aformat appropriate for the transmission and reception depending on thedata size or data format of the photo data. Therefore, there is aprobability of smooth communication being interrupted. On the otherhand, in the present embodiment, by processing the photo data to thepart suitable for the instant messenger, the photo data can be used asone part of the instant messenger. Since the part is suitable for apredetermined application, the part is stored in a predetermined storagearea easily accessed by the application, under the management of theapplication. Also, when the part is generated from the photo data, thedata size or the data format is changed to a format suitable for use inthe application. Accordingly, in the part generating and using processaccording to the present embodiment, the generated part, that is, thephoto data, can be used more simply in the application, therebyimproving the convenience of the user.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedin detail above with reference to the appended drawings, but embodimentsof the present disclosure are not limited to the examples. It should beunderstood by those skilled in the technical field of the presentdisclosure that various modifications or corrections may be made withinthe technical spirit and essence described in the claims and are, ofcourse, construed to pertain to the technical scope of the presentdisclosure.

For example, as described above, the instant messenger serving as anapplication to which the part generating and using process according tothe present embodiment is applied has been described as an example, butthe part generating and using process according to the presentembodiment can also be applied to other applications. For example, asdescribed in the foregoing <2. Configuration of information processingapparatus>, the part generated through the part generating and usingprocess according to the present embodiment may be used as a pictographof mail software or may be used as display of a face of an avatar of anonline game. Thus, the part generating and using process according tothe present embodiment can be applied to all of the applications as longas the applications are applications by which a photo can be displayedon a display screen. The part according to the present embodiment can beused instead of a photo in the application.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below:

(1) An information processing apparatus including:

a part generation unit configured to generate a part that is suitablefor a predetermined application and that includes at least a portion ofany photo and is displayed on a display screen at a time of execution ofthe application; and

an application control unit configured to control the execution of theapplication and at least display the part on the display screen duringthe execution of the application.

(2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), furtherincluding:

a generation condition setting unit configured to set a generationcondition for generating the part,

wherein the part generation unit generates the part based on thegeneration condition set by the generation condition setting unit.

(3) The information processing apparatus according to (2), wherein thegeneration condition setting unit sets the generation condition based onat least one of an operation input by a user, use environmentinformation indicating an execution status of the application, anddisplay information displayed on the display screen during the executionof the application by the application control unit.(4) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to(3), wherein the part is a stamp which is attachable to any position onthe display screen during the execution of the application and in whicha predetermined frame is attached to the photo.(5) The information processing apparatus according to (4), wherein thepart generation unit generates the stamp based on the frame and thephoto selected by a user.(6) The information processing apparatus according to (4), wherein thepart generation unit extracts a photo containing a face of a person fromphotos stored in a storage unit and generates the stamp based on theextracted photo containing the face of the person.(7) The information processing apparatus according to (6), wherein thepart generation unit further extracts a photo containing a predeterminedexpression from the extracted photo containing the face of the personand generates the stamp based on the extracted photo containing thepredetermined expression.(8) The information processing apparatus according to (4), wherein thepart generation unit selects at least one of the photo and the framebased on display information displayed on the display screen during theexecution of the application and generates the stamp.(9) The information processing apparatus according to (4), wherein thepart generation unit selects at least one of the photo and the framebased on use environment information indicating an execution status ofthe application and generates the stamp.(10) The information processing apparatus according to (9), wherein theuse environment information is at least one of information regardingweather during the execution of the application, positional informationregarding a current position of the information processing apparatus,and temporal information regarding a current time.(11) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (4) to(10),

wherein the application is a communication tool in which at least one oftext information and image information is exchanged between a pluralityof users, and

wherein the application control unit displays, on the display screen, atimeline in which predetermined areas displaying at least one of thetext information and the image information are arranged and displayed ina predetermined direction in chronological order of the exchange betweenthe users, and displays the stamp to be superimposed on any area of thetimeline.

(12) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to(3), wherein the part is a background image displayed as a background onthe display screen during the execution of the application.

(13) The information processing apparatus according to (12), wherein thepart generation unit generates the background image based on displayinformation displayed on the display screen during the execution of theapplication.

(14) The information processing apparatus according to (12) or (13),

wherein the application is a communication tool in which at least one oftext information and image information is exchanged between a pluralityof users, and

wherein the application control unit displays, on the display screen, atimeline in which predetermined areas displaying at least one of thetext information and the image information are arranged and displayed ina predetermined direction in chronological order of the exchange betweenthe users, and displays the background image as a background of thetimeline.

(15) The information processing apparatus according to (14),

wherein the part generation unit selects the photo based on at least oneof the text information and the image information exchanged between theusers and generates the background image, and

wherein the application control unit displays the generated backgroundimage as a background of the timeline after one of the text informationand the image information leading to generation of the background image.

(16) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to(15), further including:

an imaging unit configured to take the photo,

wherein the part generation unit generates the part based on the phototaken by the imaging unit during the execution of the application.

(17) The information processing apparatus according to (16),

wherein the part is a stamp which is attachable to any position on thedisplay screen during the execution of the application and in which apredetermined frame is attached to the photo, and

wherein the frame is displayed on a finder of the imaging unit when theimaging unit takes the photo to be used to generate the part.

(18) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to(15), further including:

a storage unit configured to store at least the photo,

wherein the part generation unit generates the part based on the photostored in the storage unit.

(19) A part generating and using method including:

generating a part that is suitable for a predetermined application andthat includes at least a portion of any photo and is displayed on adisplay screen at a time of execution of the application; and

controlling the execution of the application and at least displaying thepart on the display screen during the execution of the application.

(20) A program causing a computer to realize:

a function of generating a part that is suitable for a predeterminedapplication and that includes at least a portion of any photo and isdisplayed on a display screen at a time of execution of the application;and

a function of controlling the execution of the application and at leastdisplaying the part on the display screen during the execution of theapplication.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:a storage device configured to store at least one photo and at least oneframe: at least one sensor: and one or more processors configured to:select, from the at least one photo and the at least one frame stored inthe storage device, a first photo of the at least one photo and a firstframe of the at least one frame based on use environment informationthat indicates an execution status of an application, wherein the useenvironment information is acquired from the at least one sensor, andwherein the use environment information is at least one of informationregarding weather during the execution of the application, positionalinformation regarding a current position of the information processingapparatus, or temporal information regarding a current time: generatepart information for the application based on the selection of the firstphoto and the first frame, wherein the part information is a first stampwhich includes a portion of the first photo and the first frame; controldisplay of the generated first stamp on a display screen duringexecution of the application, wherein a size and a rotational angle atwhich the first stamp is displayed on the display screen is adjustable;select a second photo of the at least one photo and a seocnd frame ofthe at least one frame stored in the storage device based on displayinformation that is displayed on the display screen during the executionof the application, wherein the display information is at least one ofletter information such as messages transmitted and received during theexecution of the application or image information such as photos andstamps; generate the part information based on the selection of thesecond photo and the second frame, wherein the part information is asecond stamp which includes a portion of the second photo and the secondframe; control display of the generated second stamp on the displayscreen during execution of the application, wherein a size and arotational angle at which the second stamp is displayed on the displayscreen is adjustable; and control the execution of the application. 2.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theone or more processors are further configured to: set a generationcondition; and generate the part information based on the set generationcondition.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to set thegeneration condition based on at least one of an operation input by auser or display information displayed on the display screen during theexecution of the application.
 4. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to generate the part information based on the first frame andselection of a second photo of the at least one photo by a user.
 5. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the oneor more processors are further configured to: extract a second photocontaining a face of a person from the at least one photo stored in thestorage device; and generate the part information based on the extractedsecond photo containing the face of the person.
 6. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: extract a second photo containinga face of a person from the at least one photo stored in the storagedevice, wherein the extracted second photo contains the face of theperson having an expression; and generate the part information based onthe extracted second photo containing the expression.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application is acommunication tool in which at least one of text information or imageinformation is exchanged between a plurality of users, and wherein theone or more processors are further configured to: control the displayscreen to further display a timeline in which areas which display atleast one of the text information or the image information are arrangedand displayed in a direction in a chronological order of the exchangebetween the plurality of users; and control the display screen tofurther display a third stamp that is superimposed on an area of thedisplayed timeline.
 8. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the part information further includes a backgroundimage, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured tocontrol the display screen to further display the background image as abackground on the display screen during the execution of theapplication.
 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to generatethe background image based on display information displayed on thedisplay screen during the execution of the application.
 10. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein theapplication is a communication tool in which at least one of textinformation or image information is exchanged between a plurality ofusers, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:control the display screen to further display a timeline in which areaswhich display at least one of the text information or the imageinformation are arranged and displayed in a direction in a chronologicalorder of the exchange between the plurality of users; and control thedisplay screen to further display the background image as a backgroundof the timeline.
 11. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:select a third photo based on at least one of the text information orthe image information exchanged between the plurality of users; generatethe background image based on the selected third photo; and control thedisplay screen to further display the generated background image as thebackground of the timeline based on the generation of the backgroundimage.
 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a camera configured to capture the photo, whereinthe one or more processors are further configured to generate the partinformation based on the photo taken by the camera during the executionof the application.
 13. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configuredto generate the part information based on a second frame that isdisplayed on a finder of the camera during the capture of the photo. 14.An information processing method, comprising: in an informationprocessing apparatus having a storage device and at least one sensor:selecting, from at least one photo and at least one frame stored in thestorage device, a first photo of the at least one photo and a firstframe of the at least one frame based on use environment informationthat indicates an execution status of an application, wherein the useenvironment information is acquired from the at least one sensor, andwherein the use environment information is at least one of informationregarding weather during the execution of the application, positionalinformation regarding a current position of the information processingapparatus, or temporal information regarding a current time: generatingpart information for the application based on the selection of the firstphoto and the first frame, wherein the part information is a first stampwhich includes a portion of the first photo and the first frame;displaying the generated first stamp on a display screen during theexecution of the application, wherein a size and a rotational angle atwhich the first stamp is displayed on the display screen is adjustable;selecting a second photo of the at least one photo and a seocnd frame ofthe at least one frame stored in the storage device based on displayinformation that is displayed on the display screen during the executionof the application, wherein the display information is at least one ofletter information such as messages transmitted and received during theexecution of the application or image information such as photos andstamps; generate the part information based on the selection of thesecond photo and the second frame, wherein the part information is asecond stamp which includes a portion of the second photo and the secondframe; displaying of the generated second stamp on the display screenduring execution of the application, wherein a size and a rotationalangle at which the second stamp is displayed on the display screen isadjustable; and controlling the execution of the application.
 15. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon,computer-executable instructions to cause an information processingapparatus to execute operations, the operations comprising: selecting,from at least one photo and at least one frame stored in a storagedevice, a first photo of the at least one photo and a first frame of theat least one frame based on use environment information that indicatesan execution status of an application, wherein the use environmentinformation is acquired from at least one sensor, and wherein the useenvironment information is at least one of information regarding weatherduring the execution of the application, positional informationregarding a current position of the information processing apparatus, ortemporal information regarding a current time: generating partinformation for the application based on the selection of the firstphoto and the first frame, wherein the part information is a first stampwhich includes a portion of the first photo and the first frame;displaying the generated first stamp on a display screen during theexecution of the application, wherein a size and a rotational angle atwhich the first stamp is displayed on the display screen is adjustable;selecting a second photo of the at least one photo and a seocnd frame ofthe at least one frame stored in the storage device based on displayinformation that is displayed on the display screen during the executionof the application, wherein the display information is at least one ofletter information such as messages transmitted and received during theexecution of the application or image information such as photos andstamps; generating the part information based on the selection of thesecond photo and the second frame, wherein the part information is asecond stamp which includes a portion of the second photo and the secondframe; displaying of the generated second stamp on the display screenduring execution of the application, wherein a size and a rotationalangle at which the second stamp is displayed on the display screen isadjustable; and controlling the execution of the application.